James
@mcjamesz.bsky.social
I got lost somewhere along the way.
🏳️🌈 I-ADHD, Depression, Anxiety. Nerdy.
🇬🇧🏴 Manchester.
Interested in data analysis, politics, maps, dogs, strategic games, history.
🏳️🌈 I-ADHD, Depression, Anxiety. Nerdy.
🇬🇧🏴 Manchester.
Interested in data analysis, politics, maps, dogs, strategic games, history.
As someone who really doesn't want to watch Love is Blind, can you elaborate on how it's different?
January 3, 2026 at 4:34 PM
As someone who really doesn't want to watch Love is Blind, can you elaborate on how it's different?
I can assure you, even Guardian readers have been ignoring Polly Toynbee for a very long time.
January 3, 2026 at 11:01 AM
I can assure you, even Guardian readers have been ignoring Polly Toynbee for a very long time.
This whole thing is just a recognition that Metropolitan is different to Rural. It's just regular use of vaguely hyperbolic language.
Maybe in USA they actually think they're not "real" Americans, but I've not encountered anyone in the UK who says it seriously.
Maybe in USA they actually think they're not "real" Americans, but I've not encountered anyone in the UK who says it seriously.
January 2, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This whole thing is just a recognition that Metropolitan is different to Rural. It's just regular use of vaguely hyperbolic language.
Maybe in USA they actually think they're not "real" Americans, but I've not encountered anyone in the UK who says it seriously.
Maybe in USA they actually think they're not "real" Americans, but I've not encountered anyone in the UK who says it seriously.
What are you trying to highlight?
That a Labour supporting columnist supported the Labour leader during his honeymoon period & still does despite Labour's collapse?
What does proof mean here? An example?
Labour's polling 20%, Starmer's polling -54%, people aren't "falling for it".
That a Labour supporting columnist supported the Labour leader during his honeymoon period & still does despite Labour's collapse?
What does proof mean here? An example?
Labour's polling 20%, Starmer's polling -54%, people aren't "falling for it".
January 2, 2026 at 8:22 PM
What are you trying to highlight?
That a Labour supporting columnist supported the Labour leader during his honeymoon period & still does despite Labour's collapse?
What does proof mean here? An example?
Labour's polling 20%, Starmer's polling -54%, people aren't "falling for it".
That a Labour supporting columnist supported the Labour leader during his honeymoon period & still does despite Labour's collapse?
What does proof mean here? An example?
Labour's polling 20%, Starmer's polling -54%, people aren't "falling for it".
But then how would they know where the Overton window is? (/s)
January 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
But then how would they know where the Overton window is? (/s)
Presumably there's a Pacemaker icon when crossing over?
January 2, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Presumably there's a Pacemaker icon when crossing over?
It's presented as if it's all in Will's head that there might be a negative reaction, of course he'll want to tell a massive group including strangers, of course no one would have a problem.
It ended up downplaying the very real homophobic scare of the time, & not being critical in the big fight.
It ended up downplaying the very real homophobic scare of the time, & not being critical in the big fight.
January 2, 2026 at 7:04 PM
It's presented as if it's all in Will's head that there might be a negative reaction, of course he'll want to tell a massive group including strangers, of course no one would have a problem.
It ended up downplaying the very real homophobic scare of the time, & not being critical in the big fight.
It ended up downplaying the very real homophobic scare of the time, & not being critical in the big fight.
Presumably they hope they'll attract a dusty & confused young man to bang on the windows shouting their name?
January 2, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Presumably they hope they'll attract a dusty & confused young man to bang on the windows shouting their name?
Wouldn't it be great for the UK to be seen to have the integrity of FIFA?
January 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Wouldn't it be great for the UK to be seen to have the integrity of FIFA?
It'd have to be 100 or so Labour MPs voting no confidence/leaving the party, & surely they'd try replacing Starmer before that...
But then, Starmer could chuck 100 out of the party next time conscience gets the better of a few Labour MPs...
But then, Starmer could chuck 100 out of the party next time conscience gets the better of a few Labour MPs...
December 31, 2025 at 8:38 PM
It'd have to be 100 or so Labour MPs voting no confidence/leaving the party, & surely they'd try replacing Starmer before that...
But then, Starmer could chuck 100 out of the party next time conscience gets the better of a few Labour MPs...
But then, Starmer could chuck 100 out of the party next time conscience gets the better of a few Labour MPs...
It's not really fair that Polanski gets blamed for splitting the left wing vote, given Davey's party only got 12% themselves last time round.
How are the public to accurately work out whether the Greens or Lib Dems are the better tactical choice in their constituency?
How are the public to accurately work out whether the Greens or Lib Dems are the better tactical choice in their constituency?
December 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
It's not really fair that Polanski gets blamed for splitting the left wing vote, given Davey's party only got 12% themselves last time round.
How are the public to accurately work out whether the Greens or Lib Dems are the better tactical choice in their constituency?
How are the public to accurately work out whether the Greens or Lib Dems are the better tactical choice in their constituency?
They had a chance in episode 7 to have Kali or Hopper sacrifice themselves, to really hammer home a mourning Eleven considering sacrificing herself in the final showdown.
But now any death will be empty. There is no consequence, it's not going to lead to any development of story or character.
But now any death will be empty. There is no consequence, it's not going to lead to any development of story or character.
December 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM
They had a chance in episode 7 to have Kali or Hopper sacrifice themselves, to really hammer home a mourning Eleven considering sacrificing herself in the final showdown.
But now any death will be empty. There is no consequence, it's not going to lead to any development of story or character.
But now any death will be empty. There is no consequence, it's not going to lead to any development of story or character.
One of Starmer's big selling points/ "Founding myths" was: He's anti-racist wherever it is. He'll even fight his own party to combat it.
It was a reason people were drawn to trust him & believe in him in the first place.
It was a reason people were drawn to trust him & believe in him in the first place.
December 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM
One of Starmer's big selling points/ "Founding myths" was: He's anti-racist wherever it is. He'll even fight his own party to combat it.
It was a reason people were drawn to trust him & believe in him in the first place.
It was a reason people were drawn to trust him & believe in him in the first place.
Which is why "it's your fault for being stupid" fails so spectacularly. It triggers the thought process:
-Was I stupid?
-What was I stupid about?
-Believing *your* lies! Believing your competence.
-I won't make that mistake again
-permanent note: You lie (convincingly). You're incompetent.
-Was I stupid?
-What was I stupid about?
-Believing *your* lies! Believing your competence.
-I won't make that mistake again
-permanent note: You lie (convincingly). You're incompetent.
December 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Which is why "it's your fault for being stupid" fails so spectacularly. It triggers the thought process:
-Was I stupid?
-What was I stupid about?
-Believing *your* lies! Believing your competence.
-I won't make that mistake again
-permanent note: You lie (convincingly). You're incompetent.
-Was I stupid?
-What was I stupid about?
-Believing *your* lies! Believing your competence.
-I won't make that mistake again
-permanent note: You lie (convincingly). You're incompetent.
"It's not us, it's your fault for being stupid" is a really sour message that almost seems designed to alienate - but also has (surprising?) traction amongst loyalists trying to recruit to their cause.
December 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"It's not us, it's your fault for being stupid" is a really sour message that almost seems designed to alienate - but also has (surprising?) traction amongst loyalists trying to recruit to their cause.
I think the "Starmer promised to be Jeremy Corbyn so he could be not Jeremy Corbyn" argument was largely dismissed outside a relatively small left bubble, because it seemed like Jeremy Corbyn fanatics upset he wasn't Jeremy Corbyn.
I don't think it has had a major effect outside that small bubble.
I don't think it has had a major effect outside that small bubble.
December 31, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I think the "Starmer promised to be Jeremy Corbyn so he could be not Jeremy Corbyn" argument was largely dismissed outside a relatively small left bubble, because it seemed like Jeremy Corbyn fanatics upset he wasn't Jeremy Corbyn.
I don't think it has had a major effect outside that small bubble.
I don't think it has had a major effect outside that small bubble.
I don't understand. Do you think saying a town that is not London suffers means all towns that are not London suffer? Do you think other people think that? Billy Elliott's town looked rough, everywhere that's not London must be identical? What made you think those others thought that?
December 31, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I don't understand. Do you think saying a town that is not London suffers means all towns that are not London suffer? Do you think other people think that? Billy Elliott's town looked rough, everywhere that's not London must be identical? What made you think those others thought that?
A lot of those 2^36 are the *same* ancestors though; the total of humans ever to have lived anywhere is thought to be less than 2^37 (~120billion).
Although it is still surprising how far & wide a few trading sailors having a good night spread their descendents.
Although it is still surprising how far & wide a few trading sailors having a good night spread their descendents.
December 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A lot of those 2^36 are the *same* ancestors though; the total of humans ever to have lived anywhere is thought to be less than 2^37 (~120billion).
Although it is still surprising how far & wide a few trading sailors having a good night spread their descendents.
Although it is still surprising how far & wide a few trading sailors having a good night spread their descendents.
The royal family has British Ancestry.
Charles is a 36th generation descendent of Alfred the Great. I don't know where your cut off is, but Alfred definitely was at least partially descendent of Brythonic Britons. The fact that some ancestors weren't British doesn't erase the British ones.
Charles is a 36th generation descendent of Alfred the Great. I don't know where your cut off is, but Alfred definitely was at least partially descendent of Brythonic Britons. The fact that some ancestors weren't British doesn't erase the British ones.
December 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The royal family has British Ancestry.
Charles is a 36th generation descendent of Alfred the Great. I don't know where your cut off is, but Alfred definitely was at least partially descendent of Brythonic Britons. The fact that some ancestors weren't British doesn't erase the British ones.
Charles is a 36th generation descendent of Alfred the Great. I don't know where your cut off is, but Alfred definitely was at least partially descendent of Brythonic Britons. The fact that some ancestors weren't British doesn't erase the British ones.
It's the 1980s, not 2025. The median opinion is it's an abomination & parents treat their children as dead rather than let a gay in their family. His only avenue to thinking there's a world where he is accepted is Robin. Media influence is overwhelmingly: you must be disgusted.
December 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It's the 1980s, not 2025. The median opinion is it's an abomination & parents treat their children as dead rather than let a gay in their family. His only avenue to thinking there's a world where he is accepted is Robin. Media influence is overwhelmingly: you must be disgusted.
Will's coming out doesn't satisfy me at all. It's inferable that they're just afraid of being a little different. They're afraid of being different because ordinary people would wish them dead for being gay, would ostracise them & pray their God to smite them with the gay killing plague.
December 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Will's coming out doesn't satisfy me at all. It's inferable that they're just afraid of being a little different. They're afraid of being different because ordinary people would wish them dead for being gay, would ostracise them & pray their God to smite them with the gay killing plague.
But then does that overshadow Dustin overcoming grief & Nancythan taking the temp out of their relationship. Obviously Kali's message is better heard as a boring monologue to camera than a whispered he/she did the right thing to save you after a mentor's sacrifice.
December 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
But then does that overshadow Dustin overcoming grief & Nancythan taking the temp out of their relationship. Obviously Kali's message is better heard as a boring monologue to camera than a whispered he/she did the right thing to save you after a mentor's sacrifice.
Then there's episode 6 cliffhanger fakeout, end of the world farts out as the floor's a bit gloopy for a sec while El deals with a little wind.
I'm sure they intended to kill Hop or Kali in that scene, to create a hint of jeopardy & reinforce the sacrifice yourself to save the world dilemma for El.
I'm sure they intended to kill Hop or Kali in that scene, to create a hint of jeopardy & reinforce the sacrifice yourself to save the world dilemma for El.
December 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Then there's episode 6 cliffhanger fakeout, end of the world farts out as the floor's a bit gloopy for a sec while El deals with a little wind.
I'm sure they intended to kill Hop or Kali in that scene, to create a hint of jeopardy & reinforce the sacrifice yourself to save the world dilemma for El.
I'm sure they intended to kill Hop or Kali in that scene, to create a hint of jeopardy & reinforce the sacrifice yourself to save the world dilemma for El.
Season 1: Hopper asks Joyce is he? (a queer fag like the bullies call him).
Season 4: Jonathan is supportive, Mike oblivious to Will
Season 5: Can't show Will being bullied, can't say gay, queer, fag, can't show Veckna trying to use Will's feelings of needing to hide or fear of rejection from Mike.
Season 4: Jonathan is supportive, Mike oblivious to Will
Season 5: Can't show Will being bullied, can't say gay, queer, fag, can't show Veckna trying to use Will's feelings of needing to hide or fear of rejection from Mike.
December 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Season 1: Hopper asks Joyce is he? (a queer fag like the bullies call him).
Season 4: Jonathan is supportive, Mike oblivious to Will
Season 5: Can't show Will being bullied, can't say gay, queer, fag, can't show Veckna trying to use Will's feelings of needing to hide or fear of rejection from Mike.
Season 4: Jonathan is supportive, Mike oblivious to Will
Season 5: Can't show Will being bullied, can't say gay, queer, fag, can't show Veckna trying to use Will's feelings of needing to hide or fear of rejection from Mike.